New Darwin Initiative Projects Announced
Tigers are one of the species being helped by this project.
Wildlife Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has announced 25 new projects that are to receive funding from Defra’s Darwin Initiative. The Darwin Initiative provides UK expertise and funding to support wildlife conservation projects in developing countries and UK overseas territories. As well as helping to protect the Mountain Chicken – which is in fact a frog - projects will help to preserve the world’s most endangered duck, the Madagascan Pochard, Indian river dolphins and Ugandan chimpanzees.
Mr Irranca-Davies said: “Some of the world’s poorest countries are the richest in biodiversity which means we must all be prepared to help protect their amazing wildlife. As well as continuing Charles Darwin’s legacy in the International Year of Biodiversity, the money and expertise provided by the UK will build the skills of local people in over 30 countries around the world.”
Almost £6 million pounds has been awarded to the successful projects, to be spent over the next three to four years.
The list of successful projects to receive funding includes:
- Preserving the Madagascan Pochard - this is the world’s most endangered duck. This duck was considered extinct for 15 years until rediscovery in 2006, however only around 20 of these birds exist and there are only six to eight females. The project aims to increase the numbers of Madagascan Pochards by releasing more into the wild and working with the local communities to improve its habitat.
- Protecting Kerinci-Seblat National Park in Indonesia - this area is home to many endangered species such as the Sumatran rhino and is one of the last remaining viable populations of the Sumatran tiger. The project will teach local people about the economic, social and environmental importance of the area and help them learn practical skills to manage the forests and protect the animals which live there.
- Conserving Chinese big cats including tigers, snow leopards and lynx - wild cats are currently threatened by habitat loss and conflicts with humans. This project aims to help local people monitor wild cat species throughout China.
- Conservation of Ugandan chimpanzees - the bush meat trade, habitat loss, and human settlement all threaten the survival of the chimpanzee. This project aims to establish a compensation scheme for local landholders to conserve and restore forest habitats to protect chimpanzees.
